Acute Wound Care

What is an acute wound?

An acute wound is an injury that causes a break in the skin. An acute wound can happen suddenly, last a short time, and may heal on its own.

What causes an acute wound?

• An abrasion is a scrape caused when a rough surface rubs against the skin.
  
  
• A laceration is a jagged wound caused by a hard blow to the skin.
  
  
• A puncture wound is usually made by a sharp, round, and pointed object, such as a needle or nail.
  
  
• An incision is a cut caused by an object with a sharp edge, such as a knife or broken glass.

What are the signs and symptoms of an acute wound?

• A cut, tear, or gash in your skin
  
  
• Bleeding, swelling, pain, or trouble moving the affected area
  
  
• Dirt or foreign objects inside the wound
  
  
• Pus that is milky, yellow, green, or brown in the wound
  
  
• Red, tender, or warm area around the pus
  
  
• Fever

How is an acute wound diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask about your injury. He will examine the injury and the area around it. He will check to see how deep the wound is and look for signs of infection. He may check how well you can move the injured body part. He will check to see if you are numb at your injury site or below it. . You may have either of the following:

• Wound culture: This is when a small piece of tissue is removed from your wound. The sample will be sent to a lab for tests to check for infection. This helps caregivers learn what kind of infection you have, and the best way to treat it.
  
  
• X-ray: This is a picture of your bones and tissues in the wound area. Caregivers use the pictures to look for broken bones, injuries, or foreign objects such as glass or metal.

How is an acute wound treated?

Treatment will depend on how severe the wound is and where it is located. It may also depend on the length of time you have had the injury. You may need any of the following:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Pain, swelling, and fever medicine: Medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be bought without a doctor's order.
    
    
  • Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
    
    
  • Td vaccine: This vaccine is a booster shot used to help prevent diphtheria and tetanus. The Td booster may be given to adolescents and adults every 10 years or for certain wounds and injuries.
  
  
• Wound care: Caregivers will control the bleeding and then do the following:
  
  
  • Clean: Soap and water is used to wash away germs and decrease the risk of infection. Sterile water further cleans the wound. The cleaning is done under high pressure with a catheter tip and large syringe. A solution that kills germs may also be used.
    
    
  • Debride: This is done to clean and remove objects, dirt, or dead tissues from the open wound. Caregivers may also drain the wound to clean out pus.
    
    
  • Close: You may need stitches, staples, skin adhesive, or other treatments to close the wound. This may be done if the wound is wide or deep. Stitches may be needed if the wound is in an area that moves a lot, such as the hands, feet, and joints. Stitches may help to keep the wound from getting infected. They may also decrease the amount of scarring you have. Some wounds may heal better without stitches.

What are the risks of an acute wound?

The wound may be deep and cause injury to muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and other body parts. The injury can lead to severe loss of blood and tissues. Treatment may be very painful. Lack of blood supply to the injured area may lead to tissue death. A scar may form on your skin as it heals. You may be at risk for an infection. The infection may spread to other parts or organs of the body. This can be life-threatening. People who smoke, have diabetes, or have a weakened immune system are at higher risk for an infection.

When should I contact my caregiver?

Contact your caregiver if:

• You have muscle, joint, or body aches, sweating, or a fever.
  
  
• You have increased swelling, redness, or bleeding in your wound.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or you have a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek help immediately or call 911 if:

• You have pus or a foul odor coming from the wound.
  
  
• You have sudden trouble breathing or chest pain.
  
  
• Blood soaks through your bandage.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Learn more about Acute Wound Care